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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

behind the photos

Since moving to Le Petit Village I've been snap happy. Not as much as I should have be of course, there are plenty of moments I've missed out capturing because I was too busy living with my normal head, and not with my blogging head (bloggers, you know what I'm talking about). But still, I'm rarely without my camera and everyone knows it (Mrs. London even said that she's happy I've been recording all of this so that later on when she's in the old folks home, she can look back at my blog and remember who she was and what she got up to... you're welcome Mrs. London). So since I've taken approximately 73628494 photos (total guesstimate of course) in the last three and a half years, I've decided to share some of my favorites. A couple of things to note; 1. this will be a series and 2. some of these may be new to you, some may not be. Disclaimer: the following photos were actually taken when I came to Le Petit Village on holiday almost exactly four years ago from today. My how time flies.

When I visited Le Petit Village on holiday, we went to one of Gregory's cousin's weddings outside of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. I like this photo because of little Rico Suave in the sunglasses behind the bride. That kid is like eight and he's already got his swerve on. I will never be as cool as that kid. Fact.

What's one of the first words you think of when you think of Provence? Lavender, right? Where there you go.

This was the day after I met Ruby. I liked him so much that Gregory asked Papa if we could take him for a walk. Ruby wasn't used to being 'walked' because Ruby has always walked himself. Even though he kept looking at me like I was a crazy lady for attaching this long rope to him, we loved each other pretty much immediately and he's still my top dog today (shhh... not counting Fifty). I worry about Ruby, he's knocking on thirteen now which is old for a Porcelaine and he looks it. He has arthritis and and has grown quite ornery in his old age, but he still lovingly bays at me whenever I go to see him.

The view from Le Petit Village when the lavender is in full bloom... this is my 'pinch me I'm dreaming' photo.

This was Gregory's little house and then my first home in Le Petit Village. It had a screen door which is rare here, it's the only one I've seen around these parts. Also, those flowers died about five minutes after I returned to Dublin.

Gregory and Baby Cousin in Baby Cousin's shop in Avignon. I love this photo because Baby Cousin had opened up his shop only a few months before at the young age of 25, and four years later, the shop is thriving. Plus, how cool is the shop's 'sneaker room'? I want a sneaker room, or better yet a shoe room. No, scratch that, make it a Louboutin room.

I took this photo the very first time I saw Le Palais des Papes. I remember walking through a small street and then into a large courtyard, looking up and seeing it looming over me. I was stunned. Absolutely stunned. I immediately phoned my father in Massachusetts to tell him where I was standing. Him being a Reverend, Theologian, and Historian, I knew he would appreciate the call and be excited for me even if it was dumb o'clock in the morning his time. It breaks my heart that he didn't live long enough to come and visit me and see the Pope's Palace for himself. Oh well, next life I guess.

Happy memory photo alert... this was my first bottle of Rosé ever (the first of approximately 39473839). Gregory had taken me to Aix-en-Provence for the day (my first time there too) and we ordered this bottle of pink with lunch. Sitting there on Cours Mirabeau with Gregory in the July sunshine sipping the cool Provencal Rosé, I reached the pinnacle of happiness and knew that this was truly where I wanted to be. Of course I ended up in Le Petit Village and not in Aix, but close enough.

We were driving back to Le Petit Village from Aix and passed these ruins of a castle. Being French and basically immune to stuff like this, Gregory was completely blasé about the whole thing, me on the other hand threw a fit until he stopped the car so I could take a look. I mean there it was, this amazing piece of old architecture just there, in a village, with people milling about barely even noticing. I was blown away and I remember thinking to myself, "holy sh**, I'm in France." I still think that sometimes.

26 comments:

Thanks for the photo tour. Even though I have been following your for about a year and half now -it's so fun to see photos of your area - Love the lavender fields!! Looking forward to seeing more in this series! P.S. Happy early 4th of July!

Gorgeous photos! I loooove the one of the view... wish I had a view like that!

This bit -> "I mean there it was, this amazing piece of old architecture just there, in a village, with people milling about barely even noticing" made me think of Ireland. There was one place where we walked past the ruins of an abbey just sitting there next to a row of houses. And this is like a perfectly normal thing. Mind officially blown!

I totally know what you mean about just living or experiencing the moment as a blogger. I have let a few moments "slip" as well and you know what, sometimes it's a good thing! Just let the moment come in and not worry about lighting or blurry photos! : )

I'm loving this walk down your memory lane...wow how fast time flies! You and I arrived at the same time, we have a 4 year Francoversary coming up! ; )

Funnily enough, when I was living in Dallas for a year I missed the old buildings and the weight of a visible history. We get used to them here but when you go away you realise just how amazing it is to be in a living history.

This is such a great thing. I love that you share all these pictures with us!Ruby is so adorable! I agree, it can be very hard to see beloved animals growing old.I am so sorry that your father wasn't able to come and visit you. I know how that feels, it breaks my heart to know that my mom hasn't even been able to meet David. But hey, can't wait for more pictures!

I loved seeing these pictures! What a beautiful place to live. And I love what you said in the last paragraph 'I remember thinking to myself, "holy sh**, I'm in France." I still think that sometimes.' I've lived in Washington for my entire life, but sometimes I look at the mountains or the giant trees and I feel the same way. It's not France, but I still feel incredibly lucky. : )

We just returned yesterday from our little vacation in Menton. I see a lot of familiar sights now in your photos. :) France is truly beautiful. I can see why you must sometimes feel like it's all a bit surreal. I feel that way on occasion in Belgium, too. I hope it's something that never goes away because I would hate to become accustomed to how beautiful and historic these places are, I hope I can always see and appreciate them. :) Beautiful photos and memories to go along with them!

It's gorgeous over there! Ben used to study in Aix-en-Provence, and we all visited it a few years ago. It was wonderful and I wish we could stay a bit longer.. at least till the lavender season! I didn't get to see the purple fields and it's still on my wish-list!

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Fáilte, Bienvenue, and Welcome!
After ten years living life as an American expat in Europe, I've returned to the States with my French husband and dog in tow.
Follow along on my adventures and misadventures as I bid adieu to the Gypsy lifestyle while trying to set down roots and navigate my new life as an ex-expat back 'home' again.